Governor General’s literary short list includes vermette, Edwards

Our five-star fringe reviews: Final boss defeated

Alexander Mantia, Dead Chef, El Diablo of the Cards 2.0, Eleanor's Story, Erika MacDonald, Evie & Alfie, Goose! Night of the Cobra Chicken, Jimmy Hogg, Middle Child, Our Father, Oversharer, Nat King Cole, 7 Lives of Louis Riel, Evolution of a Broken Heart, The Rocky Horror Show, Tony Wrestles a Stranger, Tymisha Harris

Fringe reviews #12: Game over? Not even close

52 STORIES 

Dave Morris

Théâtre Cercle Molière (Venue 3), to July 26

👾👾👾👾 ½

Safe-walks program around downtown venues to launch after pleas from WSO performers

The city will provide safe walks and patrols will be increased around downtown arts venues in response to performers and staff feeling unsafe while working in the inner city.

The safety measures are part of the new Performing Arts Wayfinder Program, which will use $100,000 in funding from the mayor’s office for two additional Downtown Community Safety Partnership staff members to focus on safe walks and patrols for performers, audience members and staff.

The program is scheduled to begin in September and run through June 2027.

The initiative comes after members of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra reached out to Mayor Scott Gillingham in a letter outlining their concerns about safety for musicians, other staff and their patrons.

Four candidates at play in The Pas-Kameesak byelection

The number of voters who cast a ballot in advance indicates there’s more than the usual amount of interest in Tuesday’s provincial byelection in The Pas-Kameesak, political watchers say.

Elections Manitoba on Monday afternoon reported 1,772 votes cast in advance, with advance voting continuing until 8 p.m. at the local election office in The Pas. The final number of advance votes will be tallied and released Tuesday morning. By comparison, there were 1,826 advance votes cast in The Pas-Kameesak in the 2023 general election.

“Generally, the turnout in byelections is far less than in a general election,” said University of Winnipeg political science Prof. Malcolm Bird. “Usually it’s between 30 to 50 per cent of what would turn out in a general election.”

He said it’s interesting that a byelection that won’t change who’s in government has attracted so many people to vote in advance in the middle of summer.

Plan being developed to tackle drug use, homelessness near church

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham says a plan is in the works to address growing concerns over drug use and homelessness around an Osborne Village church after complaints from a nearby daycare, residents and businesses.

Gillingham said his senior adviser on homelessness, Jarred Baker, met with people in the area on Friday and was expected to provide a report later Monday outlining what was discussed and potential next steps.

Craig Wynands, executive director of 1JustCity, confirmed someone from the city met with Oak Table’s site lead, Thomas van der Krogt. Wynands also said he met Monday with officials from Augustine Centre and SPLASH Child Care.

“We discussed safety measures and increasing staff presence around the premises of the building,” he said. “1JustCity will be hiring additional staff to patrol the property regularly during the day.”